Shipping Schedule

Air cargo moves on fixed flight schedules, so planning is built around airline cut-offs rather than sailing days.

• Transit is quoted airport to airport, with screening, security checks and handling before departure.
• Daily capacity is strongest from Heathrow, Stansted and Manchester, with regional departures for smaller consignments.
• Book earlier for dangerous goods, temperature-controlled cargo, out-of-gauge pieces and charter-only shipments.
• Documentation such as the air waybill, packing list and commercial invoice must be lodged before the flight cut-off.
• Peak seasons around Christmas, Chinese New Year and quarter-end can push rates and space, so reserve capacity in advance.

Sea freight planning revolves around the vessel schedule, the documentation cut-off and the yard cut-off for loaded boxes.

• Sea transit starts when the vessel sails, not when cargo is collected or delivered to the port.
• Full containers need the box delivered before the gate cut-off; consolidation windows close earlier for LCL.
• Peak periods before Christmas, Ramadan and the summer break can tighten space and move cut-offs earlier.
• Direct services run weekly or fortnightly on major trades, while transhipment routes add several days at the hub port.
• Allow extra time for customs clearance, quarantine inspections and inland delivery once the container is discharged.

RoRo sailings are booked per vessel, and vehicle deck space is allocated once the shipping line accepts the booking.

• Vehicle deck space is confirmed against exact length, width, height and running condition declared at booking.
• Carrier rotations vary by region, with weekly European sailings and monthly deep-sea allocations to some trades.
• Running vehicles normally load faster than non-runners, and oversized machinery needs pre-approval from the line.
• Personal effects cannot travel inside vehicles on most RoRo services, so plan separate cargo if goods are included.
• Port cut-offs fall a few days before departure, so keys, title documents and clearance paperwork should be ready early.